Connecting elements for crawler track vehicle chains pursuant to the dually-hinged pin principle

ABSTRACT

Connecting elements for crawler track vehicle chains constructed pursuant to the dually-hinged pin principle, wherein the connector is arranged interiorly of the chain members. The connectors consists of two clamps each having arms which can be inserted offset into each other, and which are fastenable by means of screw connection to the link pins of adjacent chain link members, each clamp encompassing respectively one link pin and form-fittingly fixed thereto, the link pin having a cross-section in at least the region of the connectors deviating from a circular cross-section, and wherein the clamps lockingly interengage in each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to connecting elements for crawler trackvehicle chains constructed pursuant to the dually-hinged pin principle,wherein the connector is arranged interiorly of the chain members.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

From German Pat. No. 14 80 777 there has become known a crawler trackchain for armored vehicles, in which the chain members are coupled toeach other through the intermediary of interiorly located connectors.This chain, whose construction is predicated on the dually-hinged pinprinciple, incorporates link pins or bolts which are fixed in positionthrough locking pins. The articulated connection is hereby effected bymeans of the connectors alone, wherein dry-bearing type of bushingsformed of a suitable material are located intermediate the link pins andthe connectors. Consequently, this then relates to a chain withdry-bearing supported link pins. The connectors are each formed of asingle piece. This signifies that, during the assembling anddisassembling of the chain, for the interconnection of two chain linkelements, the connectors must be maintained in alignment with the linkpin bores in the chain members so as to be able to press in the linkpins. This procedure is time-consuming and relatively cumbersome.

Also known from the disclosure of German OS No. 27 55 412 is a chainwhich is constructed pursuant to the single-hinged link pin principle,in which the link pins are rubber-supported and two screwable clampsserve to provide for the interconnection of two chain link elements,whereby the clamps are formed from a single piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide asimply constructable and inexpensive connector which facilitates asatisfactory form of load transmission from one chain link element toanother, and which appreciably reduces the loads on the connecting orlink pins during the tensile force transmission, and which allows forthe production of a relatively lightweight chain.

The foregoing object is achieved through the intermediary of a crawlertrack vehicle chain of the type as described hereinabove, in which theconnectors consists of two clamps having arms which can be insertedoffset into each other, and which are fastenable by means of a screwconnection to the link pins of adjacent chain link members, each clampencompassing repsectively one link pin and form-fitting fixed thereto,the link pin having a cross-section in at least the region of theconnectors deviating from a circular cross-section, and wherein theclamps lockingly interengage in each other.

The foregoing construction renders a simple assembling and disassemblingpossible inasmuch as the clamps are inserted into each other and arescrewed together in the running plane of the track chain.

As a consequence of the inventive connector, there are achieved thefollowing advantages through the invention:

The connection of one chain link element to another can be soeffectuated along the length of the link pin that on both sides of theconnector the pin will still be positioned within the rubberized linkpin support, and as a result will not be subjected to loads in theunsatisfactory form as in the previous end connector chains.

The improved distribution of the tensile force which is to betransmitted to the link pins positively leads to smaller diameters.Excessively heavy chain link constructions are thereby avoided.

The loading of the connector through the "turning" of the chains, causedby its position, is less than that in heretofore known end connectorswhich are maximally loaded through such a load in its external position.

The rear side (drive sprocket wheel side) of the connectors representsat a positive bend, at a straight position and also during a negativebend of the chain links, a type of bridge for the sprocket wheels, andreduces the heretofore always encountered rough running through the gapbetween the individual tubular link members of a track chain. Even upona loosening of the threaded connection of the connectors there will notbe encountered the danger of the opening of the chain, as would be thecase in the end connector track chains.

During travel through wire obstructions, there is practically precludedany suspension and taking along of the wire. This is a seriousdisadvantage of end connector track chains of previous constructionaltypes.

The invention further provides the following inventive features in that,pursuant to one aspect thereof, there is provided a simple screwconnection for the connectors. The screw is subjected to relatively lowshearing stresses and, as a result, can be dimensioned smaller thanheretofore. Furthermore, in a simple manner, two arms of adjacent clampscan be presently coaxially centered with respect to the screwconnection. The manufacture and the bearing support is simplified and,during the assembling of the connectors, any inadvertent exchange orconfusion between the clamps is not possible. The drive sprocket wheelside of the connectors is constructed flat, and serves for theadditional support of the drive sprocket wheels during their transferfrom one chain link to the subsequent chain link. In accordance withanother feature of the invention, there is obtained a simple andeffective form-fit between the components. Pursuant to another feature,the link pins which are constructed as hollow bushings afford aconsiderable weight-saving, which allows for the formation of thesurfaces corresponding with the connectors in a simple manner throughcold deformation. Additionally, the arms of the clamps serve as elementsfor the screw connection prestressing and increase, although to a minorextent, the link pin encompassing angle through the bending of the arms.Pursuant to another aspect of the invention, the link pins are, alongfour sides thereof, in surface or line contact. The specific surfacepressing against the link pins is thereby relatively low and at a largedegree of safety against any undesirable rotation in the connector.Furthermore, there is also ensured an unhindered force transmissionbetween the link pins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference may now be had to the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings; in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view, taken in direction of the vehicletravel, through a crawler track vehicle chain which is constructedpursuant to the dually-hinged link pin principle;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view through the crawler trackvehicle chain of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates the crawler track vehicle chain pursuant to FIG. 2shown at a negative bend;

FIG. 4 illustrates respectively two views, one in transverse section andone in plan view, of a connector with link pins; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view through a modified embodiment of aconnector with link pins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in the chain link members 1, 6of a crawler track vehicle chain 2, link pins 4 which are supported inrubber 3 are each pressed into a bore 5. The link pins 4 are providedwith flat surfaces 9, 10 in the region of connectors 7, 8. In order toorient the pins 4 with regard to their position relative to theconnectors, there are provided surfaces 11 for engagement with asuitable worktool. The connector 7, 8 are mounted on the link pins 4.Drive sprocket roller paths 12, 13 are illustrated in chain-dottedlines. During the presehce of tensile loads within the chain 2, actingin the direction of arrows 22, there is produced the deformation line 14of the link pin 4 as shown in chain-dotted representation. Hereby, therubber 3 supports the correspondingly deformed link pin 4 within thebore 5.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 8 consists of two identicallyconstructed clamps 17, 18 which form-fittingly encompass the link pins 4with the curved sections 19 and the flat arms 20, 21. Through thesurfaces 23, 24 they are supported against the link pins 4, and contactagainst the surfaces 9, 10 of the link pins. The clamps 17, 18incorporate bores 31 and 32 in conformance with a screw connection 30constituted of a screw 25 and clamping sleeve 26. The arms 20, 21 bridgeover the open area 33 between the link pins 4, or as shown in FIG. 4,link pins 42.

The screw 25 lies in the plane 35 with the arm 21 of the clamp 17, suchthat a drive sprocket wheel 36 is supported by the clamp 17 duringrolling over from one chain link member 6 to another chain linkmember 1. The chain link members 1 and 6 incorporate guide sprocketteeth 37 and gripper bars 38. The head of the clamping sleeve 26, in thedirection towards the path of travel 39, lies within the supportingregion of the gripper bars 38.

The side of the connectors 7, 8 towards the drive sprocket wheelsrepresents at a positive bend, during a straight position (FIG. 2), andalso at a negative bend (FIG. 3) of the chain links 1, 6, a type ofbridge for the drive sprocket wheel 36, and reduces the rough runningthrough the previously unbridged gap 40 between the individual tubularmembers 1 and 6 of the crawler track chain 2.

According to FIG. 4, the pins are formed as hollow bushings 42. In theregion of the connector 45, the tubes 42 are provided with flats 43 andconform to the inner arms 46 of the clamps 47 and 48 of the connector45. The arms 46 completely cover the flats 43. Closely fitted to thesurface of the arm 44 is the head 27 of the screw 25. Pursuant to FIG.5, in a connector 50, a clamping sleeve 51 with a conical head 52 of ascrew connection 49, is arranged at the drive sprocket wheel side so asto be recessed in a clamp 53. The clamp 53 is provided with acorresponding bore 54. The clamping sleeve 51 centers the pins 55 andthe clamps 53 and 56. The arm 57 which receives the head 52 isconstructed heavier than the remaining arms 58 through 60 of the clamps53 and 56. The arm 60 lies against the flats 61 on the pins 55, whereasthe arm 59 with the link pin 55 provides merely a line contact. The linkpins 55 lie against the clamping sleeve 51 and the clamps 53 and 56. Ascrew 63 with a head 64 connects the clamps 53 and 56 with the pins 55under prestressing so that, for the remainder, there is provided aform-fit.

The assembling of the connectors 7 and 8, or 45 and 50, on the crawlertrack vehicle chain is effectuated in that, as described with theexample of connector 8, the clamps 17 and 18 are preadjusted on therespective link pins 4 of the chain links 1, 6 in the plane of thechain. Thereafter, the above-mentioned clamps are slid into each other,and positioned and fastened by means of the screw connection 30.

Besides the described screw connection 30 and 49, as well as theconfigurations of the clamps and the link pins, other modifications canbe readily employed which are within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. In connecting elements for interconnectingadjoining chain link members of crawler track vehicle chains including apair of dually-hinged link pins; including connectors extending betweenand into recesses in the chain link members; the improvement comprising:each of said connectors including two clamps having arms overlappinglyinsertable into each other, a screw connection for clampingly fasteningsaid clamps to the link pins of said adjoining chain link members, eachsaid clamp form-fittingly encompassing respectively one said link pin,each said link pins having a cross-section deviating from a circularcross-section in at least the region being grippingly engaged by saidclamps.
 2. Connecting elements as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screwconnection fastening said clamps and said link pins in a form-fittingand load-transmissive manner comprises a screw and clamping sleeve forthreadingly receiving said screw, said clamping sleeve and screwextending through apertures formed in the overlapping arms of saidclamps, and said clamping sleeve and screw aligning at least twooverlapping arms of different clamps relative to each other. 3.Connecting elements as claimed in claim 2, wherein said clamping sleeveand screw align the overlapping arms of different clamps.
 4. Connectingelements as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screw connection forform-fittingly and load transmissively connecting said clamps and saidlink pins comprise a screw and a clamping sleeve threadingly receivingsaid screw, wherein the clamping sleeve and the screw extend throughapertures in two overlapping arms of different clamps to thereby alignsaid clamps relative to each other.
 5. Connecting elements as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the insertable clamps are constructed similarly shaped.6. Connecting elements as claimed in claim 2, wherein the clampingsleeve is seated in close surface contact in one arm of said clamp atthe side towards a drive sprocket wheel for said chain.
 7. Connectingelements as claimed in claim 1, wherein said link pins include flats, atleast one arm of said overlapping arms of the clamp contacting saidflats.
 8. Connecting elements as claimed in claim 1, wherein said linkpins comprise hollow bushings having flats thereon conforming to theconnection in the area of said connector.
 9. Connecting elements asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the arms of said clamps bridge an open areabetween the link pins.
 10. Connecting elements as claimed in claim 1,wherein said link pins contact said clamps and the screw connection. 11.Connecting elements as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inwardly locatedarm of the overlapping arms of said clamp is supported at the endsthereof against an oppositely located link pin.
 12. Connecting elementsas claimed in claim 2, wherein the screw is seated in close surfacecontact in one arm of said clamp at the side towards a drive sprocketwheel for said chain.